Tuesday

The UCF Knights athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. These teams are collectively referred to as the Knights, with the women's teams sometimes referred to as the "Lady Knights." UCF participates in the NCAA's Division I (Division I FBS for football). The Knights joined Conference USA in 2005, and compete in the East Division in any sports split into a divisional format. UCF will join the Big East Conference for all sports on July 1, 2013.

The Knights field 16 varsity teams, 6 men, 9 women and one co-ed sport, that have won numerous national and conference titles. The Knights football team was Conference USA champions in 2007 and 2010, and the Knights women's basketball team were the 2009 and 2010 C-USA champions. The UCF cheerleading team has captured two national titles at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Nationals, in 2003 and 2007.

UCF, its athletic program, and the university's alumni and sports fans are sometimes jointly referred to as the "UCF Nation," and are represented by the mascot Knightro. The "Knight" was chosen as the university mascot in 1970 by student election.The "Knights of Pegasus" - as it was originally called - was a submission put forth by students, staff, and faculty, who wished to replace UCF's original mascot, the Citronaut, which was a mix between an orange and an astronaut. The Knights were also chosen over "Vincent the Vulture," which was a popular unofficial mascot among students at the time.In 1994, Knightro debuted as the Knights official athletic mascot.

NCAA College Football

UCF Knights vs Akron Zips

THURSDAY AUGUST 30

Time : 7:00 pm ( E.T.)

Akron Zips :

The intercollegiate athletic teams at The University of Akron are known as the Zips. Teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level and in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for college football. Since 1992, the Zips have been members of the Mid-American Conference. The Zips name is unique in college athletics and comes from "zippers", rubber overshoes made by the BF Goodrich Company that were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1925, a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the university's athletic teams. Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers. The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for "Zippers". Athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to Zips in 1950. The university's mascot is "Zippy", a kangaroo. Zippy is one of only a few female college mascots in the United States.

College football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.The first ever intercollegiate football game between two American teams played under rules which would eventually become the rules under which modern American football is governed occurred between Princeton and Rutgers University in 1869. The completion of the first ever American football season came as a result of only two total games being played.

Saturday

Madonna’s not known for being reticent, nor does she shy away from a fight. So it should come as no surprise that the Queen of Pop has fired the latest salvo in her spat with Sir Elton John from a stage in Nice.During a recent concert in France, Madonna dedicated her song Masterpiece to John, with whom she’s shared a very public, long-running feud.

In January this year, John lashed out at Madonna after she won the Golden Globe for Best Song for Masterpiece, from her period film W.E. John was also nominated in the same category.Then, when Madonna exposed her breast on stage during her MDNA tour, John called her a “fairground stripper”.She didn’t take this lying down. In a concert in Nice on Tuesday, Madonna sarcastically dedicated Masterpiece to John, saying she “forgives” him for his constant criticism, reports online.“I want to dedicate this song to a Mr. Elton John. I know he’s a big fan of it, and I know he’s a big fan of mine,” she said.

Friday

The Wallabies have sought advice from several AFL big guns to improve their often-flawed aerial work. Former Swans coach Paul Roos has been seen at several recent Wallabies' training sessions helping the players improve their skills under the high ball and at restarts. It's not before time, as their poor kicking and catching skills has been a main problem area for the Wallabies for some years, prompting the SOS call to the AFL experts. Roos was brought in again yesterday, working with the players near the end of their training session at Leichhardt Oval. For some time the Wallabies and AFL clubs, in particular the Swans, have enjoyed a healthy relationship. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has also developed a strong link with the Adelaide Crows assistant coach Dean Bailey. Bailey was in the Wallabies coaches' box when they defeated Wales in Melbourne this year.

The most extraordinary Test performance of the year remains Wallabies five-eighth Berrick Barnes's match-winning effort against Wales in Melbourne on the same day his first child Archie was born. Barnes had to make a mad dash from Sydney after witnessing the birth to get to the game in time. In tomorrow night's Test program, teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper said another highlight of that day was when Barnes received the players' player award after the game. ''He then took us through the week and how special it was to him to share what went on with the guys in the change room. It was probably one of the best moments I've had in the Wallabies and one that everyone in the sheds that night will never forget,'' Ashley-Cooper said.

Sunday

They needed a positive result - and one in the Germany v Netherlands match - to keep open the slenderest avenue to the top four, but neither could force a winner.After a goalless first half, Belgium opened the scoring through Tom Boon in the 48th minute.But that lead lasted just six minutes as Nick Wilson dribbled along the left byline to squeeze a shot under Vincent Vanasch.New Zealand almost won it in the final minute when Andrew Hayward's penalty corner hit the post but the point means both sides will now contest the lower places.

The Netherlands edged out the Republic of Korea 3-2 in Pool A, making it four successive wins.Korea took a fifth-minute lead through Cheon Seul Ki's penalty corner but the Netherlands bounced back quickly with a simple goal as Maartje Paumen's straight free-hit was deflected in by Lidewij Welten.Goals from Ellen Hoog and Carlien van den Heuvel gave their side a two-goal advantage before Cheon converted her second corner with six minutes to go to set up a tense finish. Argentina overcame Germany 3-1, helping them move back to the top of Pool B on goal difference.

If Argentina and third-placed Australia draw in Monday's final match, then Germany will miss out on the top four irrespective of their result against New Zealand.Australia overcame South Africa 1-0 thanks to Jade Close's goal in the seventh minute.Pool A's bottom-of-the-table clash ended all-square as Japan fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Belgium.Great Britain suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat against China.Second-half penalty corner goals from Fu Baorong and Zhao Yudiao - Crista Cullen pulled back a late set-piece - did the damage as the Chinese took advantage of a lacklustre performance from the Host Nation.New Zealand boosted their chances of making the semi-finals and ended the USA's in an entertaining Pool B encounter, which the Black Sticks edged 3-2.

Friday

The longest season in Super Rugby history comes to an exciting conclusion this weekend, with the Super Rugby Final between the Chiefs and Sharks guaranteed to provide a new champion.The New Zealand Conference champion Chiefs and the sixth placed overall wildcard qualifier Sharks, the last two franchises standing, will offer a wonderful encounter considering their different paths to the final match of the 2012 season.The Chiefs, courtesy of their standing as a top-two regular season finisher, had a break during the Super Rugby Qualifiers, but then had to account for the Crusaders in the Semi-Final, with a 20-17.

This came after an outstanding regular season where the Chiefs finished with a New Zealand record regular season ledger of 12 wins from 16 matches, while establishing a franchise record nine straight wins and a franchise record six straight home wins – although question marks were raised when they slumped to back-to-back defeats to the Crusaders and Hurricanes to close out their campaign.

The Sharks have had to do it the hard way, having to mount an incredible late season finish to qualify for the Super Rugby Finals Series, winning six of their last seven matches, with their only blemish being against the Lions – a result that cost the Sharks a South African clean sweep towards the end of the regular season.Celebrations in Durban in reaching the Super Rugby Finals Series were tempered by the long haul to face the Reds in Brisbane, and even that victory over the defending champions merely booked another long flight to battle the Stormers in Cape Town.

While the Crusaders may have set Super Rugby’s travelling record last season due to the Christchurch earthquake, the Sharks are looking at breaking the Super Rugby Finals Series travelling ledger, with their trip clocking over 30,000km so far.At least the Sharks had six of their last eight regular season matches in Durban, although that late run of home comfort must seem a distant memory for the South Africans.This Super Rugby Final, the Sharks first since 2007, also represents the first time since that season that the decider has featured two combatants still to win the championship.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie and Sharks coach John Plumtree have both said that history doesn’t count for much coming into this match, but the fifteen clashes between the two sides represent a colourful rivalry.The Chiefs have won the last three matches, a run that gives them a one-win advantage (8-7) over the Sharks, who actually won seven of their first twelve encounters between the sides.Further to this is that fact that Chiefs territory won’t hold too many fears for the Sharks (despite the Chiefs six from eight record at Waikato Stadium this year), as the South African visitors won in Taupo in 2001, and in Hamilton in 2003 and 2009.Statistically, the head to head is one of the most even in Super Rugby competition, with just eight points and two tries separating the teams since first clashing in 1998.The Super Rugby Final, the Chiefs second and the Sharks fourth, is the first time that the two franchises have come up against each other in a Super Rugby Finals Series match.

Thursday

Japan and Honduras both qualified for the Olympic quarter-finals in the men's Football tournament after fighting out a goalless draw at the City of Coventry Stadium.Japan finished top of the group with seven points from three games and they will take on Egypt in the last eight.

Runners-up Honduras will face a more daunting test against one of the tournament favourites in Brazil.Honduras showed more enterprise and created the best two chances of a low-key opening 45 minutes, but Japan showed more urgency in the second half.But both sides struggled to carve out clearcut opportunities although the goalkeepers were pressed into service at both ends.

Great Britain's men followed the women into the Olympic quarter-finals as Daniel Sturridge netted the only goal against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium.The win has set up a last-eight meeting with the Republic of Korea in Cardiff on Saturday evening.The clock was ticking down towards the interval when Joe Allen wove a neat pattern inside the Uruguay box before drilling the low cross which Sturridge prodded home from close range.Chelsea man Sturridge has now scored two in two games, a fact the watching Roy Hodgson - whose England team take on Italy in a fortnight - cannot help but have noticed.

Meanwhile, Senegal joined GB in the last eight after leading striker Moussa Konate rescued a point against UAE at the City of Coventry Stadium.Konate scored his fourth goal in three Group A matches early in the second half to cancel out Matar Ismaeil's opener.It meant that Senegal finished in second spot on five points - behind GB - and they will face Mexico in the quarter-finals.

NBA star Tony Parker led France to an ultimately comfortable victory over Lithuania to leave them on the verge of a place in the London 2012 quarter-finals after an 82-74 win.The San Antonio Spurs man scored 27 points as the French pulled away in the second half to earn their second win from three games in Group A.Defeat was a blow for three-time Olympic Games silver medallists Lithuania, but is unlikely to deny them a place in the knockout stage.

It looked at one point, though, as if the Baltic side's progression might be a whole lot easier as they turned a nine-point deficit in the first quarter into a 43-39 lead by half-time, helped by two quick-fire three-pointers from Martynas Pocius.But Parker, wearing distinctive goggles to protect an eye injury, inspired his side to a recovery, finishing with nine field goals, including two three-pointers, and seven free throws.The third quarter was key, France winning it 20-9, as their opponents' accuracy from outside the circle deserted them.Nicolas Batum followed Parker with 21 points and Ronny Turiaf led the way on the rebound count with 10.

Anthony Ogogo produced arguably the greatest performance of his career to defeat Ukraine's reigning world champion Ievgen Khytrov via a nail-biting judges' decision to move within one more win of a Boxing medal.Great Britain's Ogogo matched his illustrious opponent in a brutal, action-packed Middle Weight bout which had the capacity ExCeL crowd on their feet, then faced an agonising wait as the final score showed an 18-18 tie between the pair.

Even the countback system - in which the individual scores of all five judges are tallied together - yielded an amazing 52-52 tie, before the judges were required to pick a winner and the majority went with Ogogo.